Photo: Nyttend · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Polk Township than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Polk Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%). Flood insurance has paid 20 claims here since 1981.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Polk Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Polk Township faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hail
Tornadoes
Ice storms
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Polk Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Polk Township, and Polk Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Polk Township’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $407K a year in losses across Polk Township: $283K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Polk Township flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Polk Township, from FEMA’s records: 21.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms6 claims · $247K
Polk Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Crawford County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Polk Township
Disasters that paid out in Polk Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Polk Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$7K to Polk Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$9K to Polk Township for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$970 to Polk Township for repairs
- 2004Snow$2K to Polk Township for repairs
Crawford County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Polk Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Polk Township archive →Polk Township and its neighbors
Polk Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polk Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Galion | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Washington Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Jefferson Township | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Whetstone Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Jackson Township | — | 482 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Sandusky Township | — | 874 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Polk Township faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Polk Township
Is Polk Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Polk Township has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and hail (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Polk Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Polk Township since 1981, $468K in all, or 21.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late winter storms (6).
Is Polk Township in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Crawford County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Polk Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Polk Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Polk Township?
By FEMA money that reached Polk Township, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2007): $9K to Polk Township for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter storms: 6 paid, $247K.
Is Polk Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Polk Township’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Polk Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Polk Township’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.